Philipp Skogstad, new CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America

October 11, 2017

Philipp Skogstad will take over as the new CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) effective November 1, 2017. He succeeds Arwed Niestroj, who has led MBRDNA for the last three years.

Before joining MBRDNA, Skogstad was Vice President – Design & Innovation at SAP Silicon Valley where he shaped both SAP product and personnel.

“The automotive industry is on the cusp of radical change,” says Philipp Skogstad, newly appointed CEO of MBRDNA. “Since I’ve always been driven by curiosity and being a strong advocate of innovation, I look forward to combining my love for technology, design and people to continue the positive experience for Mercedes-Benz customers.”

In stepping into MBRDNA’s CEO role, Skogstad brings a wealth of accomplishment, including: the first productive implementations of SAP’s new UX, SAP Fiori; the creation of SAP AppHaus; and the transformation of the development environment, tools, and processes for more than 14,000 developers. He is also noted for having made SAP one of the most sought-after employers for early talent in Silicon Valley.

“We are excited to bring Philipp onto the MBRDNA executive team,” said Sajjad Khan, Head of Digital Vehicle and Mobility at Daimler AG. “MBRDNA is a tech-first company: Our goal is to lead the way in cutting-edge technology, software and design. Philipp will continue to drive groundbreaking innovation in all our offices in North America, thanks to his experience, talent and mindset.”

Born and raised in Germany, Skogstad has spent most of his adult life in the US. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, with focus on design methodology and innovation management from Stanford University, along with an MBA from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Before joining SAP, Skogstad worked in the automotive, defense, and IT industry. He was also the Deputy Director of the Center for Design Research at Stanford University and a student in Hasso Plattner’s first course at Stanford’s d.school.

In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors with his wife and daughter, garden-to-table cooking and continues to perfect and connect his award-winning typical California Eichler home.

The entire team welcomes Philipp Skogstad to the MBRDNA family as it continues to develop future-defining technology and design.